I would go with another 29er. I recently toured dirt roads in WA and BC on my rigid Fargo and didn't have a need or want for front suspension. I really like the way those big hoops smooth things out. It sounds not believable but several times when I was on washboard I barely felt it.

Have you looked at the Muirwoods 9er. It's a god value for a rigid steel 29er but not suspension corrected. A Karate Monkey would also be a good choice depending on your budget.